Online course helps researchers understand the societal impact of research
The societal impact of research is a complex and multifaceted topic – not only for the general public but also for researchers themselves. Experts from the University of Helsinki, Tampere University, and the Finnish Academy of Science and Letters set out to create an online course to help researchers, especially those early in their careers, understand how their work affects society and how this impact can be strengthened if desired. The goal was to develop a comprehensive, clear, and bilingual course that could serve a broad audience across the EU.
Watch the course introduction video.
Pedagogical Design and Learning Experience Development
The course was developed in collaboration with Ixir, who was responsible for the pedagogical structure, scriptwriting, and production. While the course was published on the Digicampus platform, its content was built using Articulate’s course tools to ensure a visually modern and mobile-friendly experience.
Ixir’s design process emphasized:
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A clear learning path: The content was structured to guide participants step by step toward a deeper understanding of the various dimensions of societal impact.
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Interactivity: The course includes a range of engaging elements, such as multiple-choice questions, other tasks, and reflection prompts to help learners apply what they’ve learned in practice.
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Visual and narrative elements: Illustrations and visual design were used to add variety and support learning. In addition to traditional expert videos, two digital whiteboard-style videos were created to help clarify key concepts and make abstract ideas more accessible.
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Bilingual content and accessibility: Because the course targets a wide audience, it was developed in both Finnish and English. Special attention was also paid to accessibility throughout the materials.
Course Development and Outcomes
The course content was developed in close collaboration between four subject matter experts and Ixir. During the process, the experts not only discussed the course content but also worked together to define a shared vision of how to communicate the themes related to research impact in a clear and meaningful way.
Published in spring 2024, the course is freely available in both Finnish and English on the Digicampus platform. It offers researchers a practical learning experience and supports them in recognizing the societal relevance of their own work.